Pakistan: 22 killed in blast outside Shia Mosque

Shias were apparently the target of the blast.

At least 22 people were killed and over 50 wounded in a powerful blast outside an imambargah at a market in Parachinar area of Pakistan on Friday.

According to reports, the blast took place as people started gathering for Friday prayer near the entrance of a Shia mosque in central bazaar.

DAWN quoted government administrator Zahid Hussain as saying that Shias were the target of the blast, which took place 250 kilometers from Peshawar.

An emergency has been declared in all hospitals of the city while the blast site has been cordoned off by the forces. The army has been pressed into service for evacuation of the injured.

No one has claimed the responsibility for the blast so far.

In January this year, at least 25 people were killed and 65 others were injured in a blast in Kurram Agency's Parachinar area.

The January attack was claimed by Lashkar-i-Jhangvi al-Alami along with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan splinter Shehryar Mehsud.

OneIndia News